Method and apparatus for the postsynchronization of films



Jilly 23, 1940. u GQROCHOV 2,209,267

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THE POST SYNCHRONIZATION 0F FILMS Filed Jan. 17, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet l 40 62 roalm v i july 23, 1940. I. GOROCHOV 2,209,267

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THE POST SYNCHRONIZATION OF FILMS Filed Jan. 17, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig.5

y 3, 1940. 1. GOROCHOV 2.209267 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THE POST SYNCHRONIZATION 0F FILMS Filed Jan. 17, 1938 5 sheetssheet s DIJDDDUUDODODHOUHG unnnnnuuflnhUU I 62/0 C/laf R------I S 4 y 23, 1940- l. GOROCHOV 2,209,267

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THE POST SYNCHRONIZATION 0F FILMS Filed Jan. 17, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 I. GOROCHOV July 23, 1940.

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THE POST SYNCHRONIZATION 0F FILMS Filed Jan. 1'7, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 s A m g Q Patented July 23, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THE POST- SYNCHRONIZATION OF FILMS Iedidia Gorochov, Vaucresson, France Application January 17, 1938, Serial No. 185,435 In France January 23, 1937 10 Claims.

A method for the post-synchronization of films in another language or even in the same language is known whereby it is possible to project at the foot of the screen on which the pictures are shown, for example:

On the one hand, in a fixed position, and line by line, the words or other indications of sounds to be emitted, the projected lines which are all of the same arbitrarily chosen length corresponding to the whole of the sounds to be emitted for portions of the picture film having a given and constant length, the beginning of each word or sign of the projected line being placed at a distance from the beginning of the line which is proportional to the distance separating the corresponding picture of the film from the beginning of the corresponding portion of the film.

And on the other hand, a mark or luminous sign moving along the projected line from the beginning to the end of this line so that the distance between the luminous sign and the beginning of the projection of the projected line is constantly and strictly in proportion to the length of the corresponding portion of the film already projected at the same moment.

In this method, the projection of the lines of words or other sounds to be emitted is obtained by the projection of a .band on which the lines of the text are placed at any scale in conformity with the aforesaid rules. According to the known method at present in use, these lines are formed by employing an intermediate band having one edge provided with metrical divisions and on which the position of each word or musical sign to be emitted is marked, and. the indications thus obtained are then transferred to the final band bearing the succession of the lines to be projected, at the base of the screen, for instance.

At the time of the doubling, the projection of the luminous sign is obtained by projecting simultaneously with the original film another opaque film on which are traced clear diagonals (substituted by straight lines parallel to the edge of the band when there is no text to be emitted). This process requires the establishing of a special band for each film and furthermore does not permit, in the course of the doubling of a scene, the stopping of the actors in the case of a defectivc interpretation. In such a case it is necessary to finish completely the band of the corresponding film and to take it up again, which results in a considerable loss of time as well as an important waste of unemployable bands.

The present invention has for its object an improved method of post-synchronization of the above type.

This method is chiefly characterized in that it consists in the direct transcription of sounds, line by line, on a strip of paper (or other material) 5 by displacing in synchronism and with a suitable speed ratio, on the one hand before a fixed mark or member the original film and, on the other hand, line by line above the strip, a movable pointer or other suitable device, and to inscribe opposite the movable pointer each word or sound indication as and when the corresponding picture of the original film passes in front of the fixed mark or member.

In the case of an original sound film, this film is passed through a sound-reader, and the words or other sounds are inscribed in the initial language as and when they are heard in front of the movable pointer or other device, these words or other sounds being then transcribed in the new language, making allowances for the number of syllables and tone accents on the same strip, line by line, above or below the initial inscriptions.

In the case of an original soundless film to be transformed into a sound film, the pictures are observed opposite the fixed mark, and according to the movements of the actors lips, the words to be pronounced are determined and they are inscribed on the strip of paper or other material at the places indicated by the movable pointer or equivalent device.

According to a further improvement, at the time of the doubling, a movable luminous sign is formed on the projected line of the above mentioned strip by projecting on that line a luminous beam through an auxiliary opaque band or any other endless member moving with the same speed ratio as that employed at the time of the inscription on the above mentioned strip, this band being either perforated or being provided with clear areas suitably spaced apart or with diagonals inscribed in rectangles Whose width .corresponds, taking account of the projection ratio, to the length of the projected line and whose length is equal to the length of the portion of the original film corresponding to the length of the projected line.

Due to this invention, the establishment of a special band for each film is no longer necessary and, furthermore, it is possible at will at the time Of the doubling to have a word or a phrase badly expressed repeated as often as may be necessary, the luminous sign will continue its movement to and fro at the required speed and 55 it will be suflicient that each time the actor repeats the .text at the spot shown by thesign. A complete scene may thus be registered makingat the same time the required corrections, no time will thus be lost and there will be a minimum of waste, and at the moment of cutting it will be possible to choose in the case of each repeated phrase the best interpretation and suppress all the others.

The invention has also for its object an apparatus for the application of the above mentioned method. This apparatus is particularly remarkable in that it comprises, working in conjunction, a flexible band or any other endless member and means for driving said band in synchronism with the original film to be post-synchronized and in ratio to the above mentioned speed.

When this apparatus is used for the direct transcription on the strip of paper of words and other signs corresponding to the sounds to be emitted, the above mentioned flexible band or other endless member will bear several pointers or other devices or suitable contrivances employed successively at the time of their respective passing opposite a line on the paper strip, and in front of these pointers the words or other corresponding signs are then inscribed as and when the original film passes in synchronism and with the aforesaid speed ratio either in a sound-reader (in the case of an original sound film) or opposite a fixed mark (in the case of a soundless film).

When this apparatus is-employed for the formation of a luminous sign on the projected line of the strip of paper, the band or other endless member is opaque and is provided with a series of perforations, with clear areas or with diagonals employed one after the other to create, in combination with a suitable optical device, a movable luminous beam which moves along the projected line with the aforesaid speed ratio.

Other characteristics will appear from the following description:

In the accompanying drawings, given only by way of example:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of an apparatus according to the invention provided with a plate adapted to carry the strip of paper;

Fig. 2 is a corresponding plan view;

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Fig. '4 shows the apparatus ready to project the luminous sign;

Fig. 5 shows a portion of an auxiliary band used for the projection of the luminous sign;

Fig. 6 shows diagrammatically the projection on a screenof the original film, of the strip of paper and of the luminous sign.

Fig. 7 is a modification of the apparatus shown in Fi 1.

Figs. 8 and 9 show endless bands adapted to I produce a movable luminous sign.

According to the embodiment shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the apparatus consists of a frame I, on which is mounted the driving reducing'gear 2, of any suitable type, which is connected by means of the axle 3 and of a flexible cable 5 or other device with a sound reader. On the axle 5 of the last wheel of the reducing gear is secured a feeding roller 6. This roller is provided with two toothed wheels 8 and 9. Two other rollers l I and I2 similar to roller 6 and making with it a triangle, the larger base of which is parallel to the larger side of the frame, are mounted loose on axles l3 and Hi, which are secured to the frame by means of nuts l5 and I6. Cylindrical collars I1, l8 and I9 separate the rollers from the frame and serve as supports for said rollers. The axle l3 of the roller l i can move in a slot 20, provided in the frame l and a crank pin 2| (Figs. 1 and 3) or like member secured to the nut facilitates the tightening or loosening of said nut.

On the rollers 6, I l and I2 is stretched an endless band 28 provided on its two edges with perforations 29 into which the teeth of the rollers engage. This band is stretched or loosened (to change it for instance) by displacing the pulley H, whose axle l3 can, as already stated, move in the slot 2|. Finally the band 28 carries three arrows F F F situated at a distance L from one another, which corresponds to a determined length L of the original film to be post-synchronized. The whole of the band is therefore equal to 3L.

A plate 22 (Fig. 1) fixed on the portion 23 of the frame I is kept in a horizontal position for example by screws 24. On this plate is placed a strip of paper 25 which is in contact with said plate by means of elastic blades 26 and 21 or other suitable devices. On the strip 25, which passes under the upper portion of the band 28, are traced two parallel longitudinal lines X-X, Y-Y, at the aforesaid distance L from one another and any number of parallel, transversal and equidistant lines ab, cd, ef, etc. Guides 40 are provided on the plate 22 to maintain the band 25 laterally.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows:

When the feeding mechanism of the original film is in operation (sound-reader in the case of a sound film), its movement is transmitted to axle 5 by means of the flexible cable 4, axle 3 and control gear 2; the endless band 28 is moved consequently in the direction of the arrow 1 (Fig. 1)' in complete synchronism with the unwinding of the original film and in a suitable speed ratio determined by the reducing ratio of the control gear 2. The operator then brings a line mn of the strip 25 near and in parallel relation with the edge of the endless band 28 which is directed towards himself. He then inscribes on said line mn and opposite the arrow F which at that time is situated for instance above the strip 25, the letter, word, or sign corresponding either to thesound heard in the sound-reader or to the picture passing before a fixed mark (in the case of a soundless film). The ratio between the speed of the band 28 in the direction of the arrow f and that of the unwinding of the original film is such that the distance between the letter or sign which the operator inscribes and the line XX is constantly in the required ratio to the distanceseparating the corresponding picture of the film from the beginning of the portion of the film of a length L' corresponding to the line mn of a length L.

At the time when the arrow F arrives at the end of the line mn, it has covered a length L; at that time the arrow F is opposite the line XX, the operator pushes the strip in such a way that the line pq replaces the line mn and he continues to inscribe the signs corresponding either to the sounds transmitted by the sound reader or to the pictures passing before the fixed mark.

Inthe, case of a doubling in another language, when the above mentioned operations have been performed, the transcription in the new language of the words inscribed on the strip is efiected on the same strip, line by line, above or below the initial inscriptions taking account of the length of the syllables and tonic accents.

In a different type of apparatus, the arrows F F F are replaced by any suitable device, such as studs 5i (Fig; 7) or other projecting parts attached to the endless band 28 and causing an oscillograph 52 situated above the apparatus to be moved from the left to the right and along the edge of the endless band 28, the oscillograph being constantly under the action of a return spring 53 urging said oscillograph back to the left.

Under the action of the sounds emitted by the sound-reader, the recording stylus 54 of the oscillograph draws thus on the strip 25 along one of the lines ab, cd, a series of oscillations. Then, when the stylus has covered the whole line ab, or cd, etc., the stud 5| which has brought the oscillograph to the right disappears, the stylus is quickly brought backwards with the oscillograph by the spring 53 and is brought into contact with the following stud 5| which in its turn causes it to inscribe a new line.

Thanks to the presence of oscillations of great amplitudes corresponding to the dominant sounds, the oscillation lines so traced will facilitate the establishment and the inscription of the words and sounds which the actor will have to emit at the time of the doubling.

It is thus apparent that this process is of great interest when doubling in a new language a sound film or talkie in another original language, for it facilitates the choice, in the new language, of words whose sonority corresponds to the sonority of the words pronounced in the language of the original film and therefore to the movements of the actors lips in the original film by reason of the complete correspondence between the inscribed oscillations and the pictures of the films. In the subsequent appropriation of the words to the oscillograph record, the original film may advantageously be passed again through the sound-reader and this second passing may be effected line by line for example.

When the transcription operation is effected, it may be proceeded with the doubling of the original film. For this purpose, on the original film or on a band 4? (Fig. 5), which is adapted to be displaced in synchronism with the original film, rectangles z'ikl, klvw, have been formed, the distance between the lines if, kl, ow, being equal to the aforesaid length L of each portion of the original film. The diagonals il, kw, of said rectangles are formed by full lines or by successions of points and in such manner that, when projected on a screen, said diagonals appear clear on a dark background or inversely dark on a clear background.

021 the upper part rstu of a screen 46 (Fig. 6), the original film is then projected in the usual manner by means of a first cinematographic apparatus, and on the lower part of said screen the strip 25 or a photographic reproduction of said strip is fixedly projected by means of a fixed projector, in such manner that the projections a'b, c'd', ef', of the lines ab, ed, e), extend substantially on the major portion of the width of the screen 46. The lines XX and Y-Y are projected at X--X and Y'Y'. Simultaneously, the band 41 is projected on the screen 46 by means of a second cinematographic apparatus driven in synchronism with the first apparatus which projects the original film, and in such manner that a portion 02 of a diagonal is projected just on the first visible line of the projection of the strip 25. By said arrangement, when a length L of the original film has been projected on the screen 45, the projected portion 02 will travel on the screen 46 from the line X'-X' to the line Y-Y' that is along a complete line, such as a'b', c'd', e'f", When the portion 02 reaches the line Y'Y', the strip 25 is rapidly displaced in such manner that the first visible line which has just been read be replaced by the following line. If the film to be produced comprises soundless portions, the sign 02 may be caused to travel along lines containing no letters, words or directions for the operator, but it is also possible to cancel corresponding lines, such as e), and to cause the sign oz to remain stationary by replacing the diagonals on the corresponding part of the band 41 by a straight line parallel to the longitudinal axis of said band, such as the line 48 shown in dotted lines (Fig. 5).

For the formation of the movable luminous sign, instead of employing a band such as the band 41, use is advantageously made of the apparatus shown in Fig. 4.

This apparatus is similar to the one shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, but the band 28 is replaced by an opaque band 30 provided with a plurality of perforations 3i, and it is furthermore combined with a known projection apparatus composed, for instance, of a reflector 32, of a luminous source 33, of a condenser 34, and of an objective 35. The luminous beam passes thus through one of the perforations 3i and then strikes the screen 46 on which is projected the strip of paper 25. The band 30 has a movement synchronized with that of the apparatus projecting the film and in the same speed ratio as previously. The distance between the perforations 3| is such that the luminous sign covers on the screen a width equal to the projection ab', cd', on this screen of a line of the strip of paper.

The luminous beam is directed in such a way that the luminous sign moves on the screen alongside of the projection of the line which the actor must read. He therefore pronounces the words or other sounds as and when the luminous sign passes above the same. It should be noted that with this method, the actor may stop at any moment and take up again the same phrase, with a different intonation, for instance, as soon as the sign which continues its to and fro movement returns opposite the word to be repeated.

It will then be sufiicient, when cutting the film, to remove the defective words or defective sounds, leaving only those which have been suitably repeated.

Should the film contain silent parts, the luminous sign will cover a series of lines ab, cd, Cf, having no signs, corresponding to the length of the soundless portion of the film.

Obviously, the invention is in no way restricted to the embodiments represented and described which have only been given by way of examples. With regard to the producing of the luminous sign for instance, in the apparatus shown in Figure 4, the band 30 may be transparent and the perforations 3i replaced by opaque spots.

For the projection of the luminous sign, use may also be made of an endless band 5"! (Fig. 8) or 58 (Fig. 9) whose width corresponds to the length L of a projected line a'b, cd', taking account of the projection ratio, and on which are traced continuous or dotted diagonals 59 (Fig. 8) or '60 (Fig. 9), inscribed in rectangles whose width corresponds to the width L and whose length is equal to the length L of the original film. corresponding to the width L of the strip of paper. Since the movement must be effected in a vertical plane, it will be sufiicient to turn the apparatus shown in Fig. 4 at 90. This endless band may be opaque and the diagonals clear or vice versa.

Having now described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1 In a method for guiding an operator ha ving v to emit sounds in correspondence with the feed-' length and corresponding to successive portions having a uniform length of said film, the ratio between the speeds of said film and of said index being equal to the ratio between the lengths of one of said portions'of said film and of one of said lines, whereby the position of said index on each line corresponds to a definite area of the corresponding portionv of said film, recording on each-line opposite said index signs in accordance with the area of said film corresponding to the position of said index and inscribing on said sheet opposite said signs directions for the sounds to be emitted.

2. In a method for guiding an operator having to emit sounds in correspondence with the feeding of a picture film the stepwhich consists in feeding said film and displacing simultaneously a movable index on a sheet along successive lines disposed under each other and having the same length and corresponding 'to successive portions having a uniform length of said film, the ratio between the speeds of said film and of said index being equal to the ratio between the lengths of one of said portions of said film and of one of said lines, whereby the position of said index on each .line corresponds to one picture area on said film recording on each line opposite said index signs in accordance with said picture, and inscribing on said sheet opposite said signs directions for the sounds to be emitted.

3. In a method for guiding an operator having to emit sounds in correspondence with the sound records of a sound film, the step which consists in feeding said film. through a sound reader and displacing simultaneously a movable index on a sheet along successive lines disposed under each other, and having the same length and corresponding to successive portions having a uniform length of said film, the ratio between the speeds of said 'film and of said index being equal 'to the ratio between the lengths of one of said portions of said film and'of one of said lines, whereby to each sound recorded on said'film corresponds a definite position of said index on a determined line, recording on each line opposite said index signs in accordance with the sounds emitted by the sound reader, and inscribing on said sheet opposite said signs directions for the sounds to be emitted.

4. In a method for guiding an operator having to emit in a first language sounds in correspondence with the sound records in a second language of a sound film, which consists in feeding said film through a sound reader and displacing simultaneously a movable index on a sheet along successive lines disposed under each other and having the same length and corresponding to successive portions having a uniform length of said film, the ratio between the speeds of said film and of said index being equal to the ratio between the lengths of one of said portions of said film and of one of said lines, whereby to each sound recorded on said film corresponds a definite position of said index on a determined line,

aaoaaov recording on each line opposite said index the sounds in said second language emitted by the sound reader, and inscribing on said sheet opposite said sounds in said second language the corresponding sounds in saidflrst language to be emitted.

5. In a method for guiding an operator having to emit sounds in correspondence with the sound" records on a sound film, the step which consists in feeding said film through a sound reader and displacing simultaneously a movable oscillograph on a sheet along successive lines disposed under each other and having the same length and corresponding to successive portions having a uniform length of said film, the ratio between the speeds of said film and of said oscillograph being equal to the ratio between the lengths of one of said portions of said film and of one of said lines, said oscillograph being adapted on said sheet opposite said oscillation records directions for the sounds to be emitted.

6. A method for guiding an operator having to emit sounds in correspondence with the feeding of a film which consists in feeding said film and displacing simultaneously a movable index on a sheet along successive lines disposed under each other and having the same length and corresponding to successive portions having a uniform length of said film, the ratio between the speeds of said film and of said index being equal to the ratio between the lengths of one of said portions of said film and of one of said lines, whereby the position of said index on each line corresponds to a definite area of the corresponding portion of said film, recording on each line opposite said index signs in accordance with the area of said film corresponding to the position of said index, inscribing on said sheet opposite said signs directions for the sounds to be emitted, projecting the image of said sheet with said directions on a screen, and displacing a movable mark along thesuccessive projected lines of di rections with such a speed that said mark travels over a complete projected line of directions during the feeding time of one of said portions of said film.

7. An apparatus for guiding an' operator having to emit sounds in correspondence with the feeding of a film by a film feeding mechanism which comprises a band, guiding means adapted to support said. band, transmission means adapted to be driven by said film feeding mechanism and to impart movement to said guiding means. whereby said band is moved with a determined speed ratio with relation to said film, indicating means adapted to be displaced together with said band and equally distant from each other, supporting means disposed opposite a portion of said band, the width of said supporting means in the direction of movement of said band being at least equal to the distance separating two successive indicating means, and a sheet supported on said supporting means and adapted to receiverecording signs and provided with two lines Derpendicular to the direction of movement of said band, the distance between said lines being equal to the distance between two successive indicating means.

8. An apparatus for guiding an operator having to emit sounds in correspondence with the feeding of a film by a film feeding mechanism which comprises an endless band, guiding means adapted to support said endless band, transmission means adaptedto be driven by said film feeding mechanism and to impart movement to said guiding means, whereby said endless band is moved with a determined speed ratio with relation to said film, indicating means adapted to be displaced together with said endless band and equally distant from each other, supporting means disposed opposite a portion of said endiess band, the width of said supporting means in the direction of movement of said band being at least equal to the distance separating two successive indicating means, and a sheet supported on said supporting means and adapted to receive recording signs and provided with two lines .perpendicular to the direction of movement of said band, the distance between said lines being equal to the distance between two successive indicating means.

9. An apparatus according to claim 7, in which said indicating means comprises an oscillograph adapted to record on said sheet oscillations produced by a sound reader and to be moved over said sheet in a direction parallel to the direction of movement of said band, actuating members adapted to move said oscillograph together with said band between said two lines on said sheet, and spring means adapted to return said oscillograph towards the one of said lines disposed backwards with respect to the movement of said band.

10. An apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a screen, a projecting apparatus adapted. to project said sheet on said screen, a second band provided with equidistant marks, feeding means adapted to impart to said second band a movement substantially in a direction parallel to said screen and perpendicular to the pro*- jection of said lines on said screen, and projecting means adapted to project successively said equidistant marks on the projection of said sheet on said screen in such manner that each projected mark travels on said screen between the projections of said two lines of said sheet.

IEDIDIA GOROCHOV. 

